Memorial fund to honour local woman killed in earthquake

by JULIE-ANN SPENCE

THE home church of the local woman who died in the Christchurch
earthquake is to hold a memorial service and establish a relief fund in her
name.

Julie Wong, formerly Johnston and originally from Lisburn, died when the
Pine Gould Guinness building where she worked in the financial services
industry collapsed in the February 22 earthquake that devastated the city.

She had emigrated to New Zealand five years ago to Christchurch where she
lived with her English born husband David and four year old son Ethan.

Now Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church in Finaghy, where Julie was a
member for many years before she emigrated, is to hold a memorial service on
Sunday April 17 at 7.00pm to enable friends and family to pay tribute and
give thanks for her life and all that she achieved.

In addition the Church has decided to establish a memorial fund in
Julie's name to assist the churches in Christchurch support their members
and rebuild their work and witness.

Lowe's minister, the Rev James Burnett, attended Julie's funeral in
Christchurch and was shocked by the devastation.

"What I saw in Christchurch is the worst thing I think I've seen in my
whole life," he said. "I wept for a city gone in a matter of minutes. "What
struck me profoundly was the sight of tens of churches from across all
denominations lying in ruins. And yet, there remained a deep level of
fellowship and support among Christians as they lived in and out of each
other's houses and pockets."

It is estimated that 70,000 people have left Christchurch and of those
remaining many cannot stay in their own homes, water has to be boiled and
many thousands of people do not know if they have jobs any more. Citizens
paid an 'earthquake levy' on their property insurance and while some funds
will be available it is estimated rebuilding could take at least five or six
years.

"I was deeply moved by what I witnessed in New Zealand and feel God wants
us, as Christians in Northern Ireland, to stand with the Christians and
churches in Christchurch and so Lowe is setting up this fund in memory of
Julie to help and assist them in their time of desperate need," explained
Rev Burnett.

The fund will be launched at the memorial service for Julie and
congregations who wish to are being encouraged to have a retiring offering
at their Easter Sunday services.

More information can be found on the Lowe website at
www.loweonline.org,
together with details of how individuals can donate.

"When I spoke at Julie's funeral service in Christchurch I said it is our
prayer that God will heal your city and bring a blessing of hope and revival
like you have never seen before," added Rev Burnett. "Maybe, through this
fund in Julie's memory we can be part of their healing and future blessing."